A Connecticut man apprehended last week was wanted in connection with alleged sexual assaults in New Haven and Waterbury, the latter of which involved a girl who was allegedly lured into a pickup truck and kidnapped.
Michael Dewitt, 45, of Seymour was apprehended Friday when his pickup truck was found in a hotel parking lot in West Haven, according to Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department.
Bessette said Dewitt was wanted by the New Haven Police Department in connection with allegations involving the sexual assault of a minor. He was held over the weekend and was expected to be arraigned on Tuesday in New Haven Superior Court.
Bessette said Dewitt was also expected to be turned over to Waterbury investigators to face charges in connection with an incident reported on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., when officers responded to the 400 block of Cooke Street near Fulton Park on the report of an alleged kidnapping and sexual assault involving a minor. According to Bessette, the girl earlier in the evening was allegedly lured into a pickup truck and sexually assaulted.
The alleged victim was able to escape at one point near Fulton Park and report the incident to bystanders.
Bessette said Major Crimes and Special Victims Unit investigators developed Dewitt as a suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Waterbury investigators reached out to police in New Haven upon learning that he was believed to be in their jurisdiction.
According to Bessette, Waterbury police are expected to charge Dewitt with illegal sexual contact with a victim under 13, fourth-degree sexual assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, employing a minor in an obscene performance, aggravated sexual assault of a minor and risk of injury to a minor.
Dewitt will be held on $1.25 million bond once he is turned over to Waterbury police.
Bessette encouraged anyone with information about the investigation or any allegations related to Dewitt to contact the Waterbury Detective Bureau at 203-574-6941 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 203-755-1234.
